A GUILDFORD school has been invited to consider a £26 million proposal to become the UK’s first multiplex learning centre.

Kings College for the Arts and Technology, the nation’s first privately-managed state school, could now become its first Educentre.

The concept, very much in its infancy, would most likely involve building the complex on the Southway site. There would also be potential for it at a different Guildford location.

The town’s schools would share facilities with the wider community.

A theatre, based on London’s Globe, would form the heart of the polygon-shaped building.

David Clancy, managing director of private company Educentre Ltd, presented his idea to some Kings College staff and asked them to convert to an Educentre.

“Guildford has several schools that need investment and we believe it would benefit from an Educentre partnership development,” Mr Clancy said. “It’s ideal for an Educentre and the population of Guildford is large enough to warrant something of that ambition.”

Kings College is only considering his presentation.

“Superstar” teachers with specialist knowledge would give interactive performances in the theatre. Some classes would hold up to 80 pupils. There would be 36 lecture theatres and 28 “learning cafes”. An atrium surrounding the classrooms would bring daylight to all floors.

Work experience opportunities would be offered.

Mr Clancy wants a third of the teachers to manage students’ emotional problems to enable them to overcome learning obstacles. This, he said, would enable them to achieve maths and English GCSE passes.

The pupils, aged between 11 and 18, would follow the national curriculum and sit A-levels or the International Baccalaureate (IB).

Students at Kings College currently sit the IB, considered to be the gold standard international equivalent of the A-level.

The college has been criticised by some parents after fewer than half sitting the IB Diploma passed this year.

Kings College opened in 2000 after the former Kings’ Manor School experienced long periods of decline.

Educentre would use £26 million to build the complex and the school would pay rent.

It has yet to be established id the Government would provide annual student funding.

Mr Clancy is also discussing the idea with eight other schools across the country and hopes to open 15 altogether.

If Kings College agreed to go ahead, it would be subject to approval from the governing body and a public consultation would follow. Planning permission would be required.

Kings College is owned by Surrey County Council and managed by 3Es Enterprises, its contract expires in 2009.